World's Highest Peak Rescue Under Way as Blizzard Strands Close to a Thousand People
Rescue operations are actively underway on Mount Everest following a severe snowstorm that stranded nearly 1,000 individuals trapped at campsites on the east face of the peak.
Several Hundred Guided to Safety Amid Unusual Precipitation
Hundreds of trekkers stranded by the snowstorm near the eastern face of the peak were safely guided by rescue teams on the weekend, as unusually heavy precipitation hit the Himalayan region.
As of Sunday, 350 people had arrived at the remote town of Qudang, while communication had been established with the remaining 200-plus trekkers.
Peak Season Contributed to High Visitor Numbers
Visitors to the isolated area of Karma, which leads to the Kangshung east side of Mount Everest, numbered in the hundreds this week, benefiting from an extended holiday break in the region.
Heavy snow in the valley, which lies at an elevation averaging 4,200 metres (13,779 feet), began on Friday evening and persisted throughout Saturday.
Continued Operations to Rescue Others to Safety
The remaining trekkers are expected to arrive the safe zone in phases under the support and direction of rescuers dispatched by the regional authorities.
Hundreds of local villagers and response units have been sent to help remove snow obstructing routes to the area.
Uncertainty Over Local Guides and Other Areas
Estimates indicated that close to a thousand individuals had been trapped. Details were unclear whether local guides and team members with the hiking groups had been accounted for.
It was also unclear if trekkers near the northern side of the mountain—also in the region—had been affected or not.
Tourist Rush and Entry Halted
The north face of Mount Everest, due to its convenient approach by paved road, often attracts many of tourists. October is a busy period, when skies clear with the end of the Indian monsoon.
Admission tickets and entry to the whole Mount Everest region were halted from Saturday, according to announcements posted on local platforms.
Nearby Area Impacted by Severe Weather
To the south of the region, torrential downpours caused landslides and flash floods that have blocked roads, destroyed bridges, and killed at least 47 people since Friday.
Thirty-five individuals lost their lives in separate landslides in the eastern Ilam district near the Indian border. Nine people were reported unaccounted for after being swept away by flood waters, and three more were killed in electrical storms in other parts of the nation.
